Lebanon voters act on many articles today

Tuesday

Jun 10, 2014 at 3:15 AM

By Liz Markhlevskayalmark@fosters.com

LEBANON, Maine — At the polls today, residents are voting on referendum questions aimed at addressing the $200,000 deficit in the Rescue Department budget. Voters will also decide whether to approve a lease-purchase agreement for a new fire truck.

The Rescue Department deficit came to light this year around the time that Samantha and Jason Cole, the former chief and assistant chief of the department, respectively, resigned from their posts in December. To make up for the $200,000 deficit in the enterprise account of the department, selectmen had asked several departments to save funds from this year’s budget, so that those funds could be used to make up for the deficit, said Budget Committee member Richard Harlow.

On today’s ballot, voters are asked to relocate funds from several departments, from the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget, to pay down $93,140 of the deficit. If the referendum question is approved, funds would be taken from departmental budgets that include animal control, appeals board, cemeteries, dispatch, fire, general government, and code enforcement, among others. The contingency fund would also cover $45,000 of the deficit.

The rest of the deficit would be addressed by using funding that Lebanon had received from FEMA. If the referendum question is approved, $104,413 will come from the FEMA fund.

Both referendum questions that address the Rescue Department deficit were approved by the Selectmen and the Budget Committee unanimously.

Another question on the ballot asks voters to approve a seven-year lease-purchase agreement for a new fire truck, to replace 25-year-old Engine 1. According to the Fire Department, replacing the truck would provide better safety and allow for better storage of equipment. The total cost of the fire truck would be $432,152, which would be paid through annual payments of $61,736 for the next seven years. At the end of the lease, the town would buy the truck for $1.

Voters today will also decide whether to contribute $121,258 toward equipment and supplies for the Fire Department, and whether to place $50,000 in a capital reserve fund for future fire equipment purchases.

Residents will also be asked whether to pay selectmen $12 an hour plus expenses.

Also on the ballot is a $36,534 proposal to fund a combined position of code enforcement officer/health officer/911 director.

Among other referendum questions are: $963,100 for highway maintenance; $332,288 for operation of the transfer station; and $338,553 toward town office expenses.

Voting will take place today at Lebanon Elementary School, at 53 Upper Guinea Road. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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